"We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness. Paradoxically, it is the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage. All men of faith have courage. They trust their God. We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do. We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be. At once, we commence to outgrow fear."-Pg 68
I recently quit smoking. This is the first time in my adult life I haven't been addicted to some sort of substance. I have done the back and forth nicotine dance, switching devices in which the nicotine was delivered into my system, but never attempted to fully quit.
Just as when I was separated from alcohol, and then diet pills, I knew God could and would if he were sought. I have been praying for a while for the willingness to be free from this bondage; and then finally, over a month ago, I just was straight up with Him while crying...
"Look, you know me, I can't do this without major help from you. I need you to do for me what I can't do for myself. I'm gonna need a lot of courage and I need you to make this super easy for me" As I threw away the tobacco and vapes I kept saying just help me to have the courage to face what's ahead...I never want to be addicted to anything ever again!! Please God relieve me of this bondage!!"
And here I sit, a free woman. Free from all addictions. I don't miss smoking. I don't long for a drink. I do not wish to use a pill to help me to lose weight or get energy from. This is a miracle. I am 45 years old and finally free because I learned in AA, what commencing to outgrow fear by relying upon my Creator looks like and feels like.
I know it's not me or my will power that got me and/or will keep me free...that absolute reliance and trust upon my God to see me through anything. This didn't come naturally as I even had to pray for that too. "God teach me to fully trust you, teach me to rely upon you as I have no idea how-I just know that my way doesn't work. Help me to be transparent with you and to have a true relationship with you. Thank You"
With my new found freedom; having those 3 big demons off me, I am looking forward to getting stronger spiritually, mentally and physically. Asking what can I overcome this month? What am I overly consuming...drama? fear? criticizing others? gossiping? obsessing on others? obsessing on myself? food?
How are you currently employing courage and demonstrating God through your sobriety? How are you personally outgrowing fear? What have you overcome in sobriety that you never could have before learning how through our program? What miracles have you witnessed since God got you sober?